Getting Around Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok was once explored by only merchants and traders who were looking for items at wholesale prices. Now this huge marketplace has become a landmark amongst tourists and locals for its endless array of shopping. If shopping is your cardio and you love the thrill of finding the best bargains then Chatuchak could be your best option with its wide range of collection from handmade local goods to fashionable and trendy designs from Thailand’s young fashion designers.
HOW TO GET THERE
According to http://www.chatuchak.org/, you can get to Chatuchak Market by skytrain, subway or bus with the following numbers:
By BTS SkyTrain: get off at Mochit Station
By MRT Subway: get off at Kamphaengphet Station
By ordinary Bus No. 3, 826, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 63, 77, 90, 96, 104, 408, 112, 122, 134, 136, 138, 153, 159
By airconditioned Bus No. 2, 3, 9, 18, 19, 28, 34, 39, 44, 134, 145, 153, 510, 512, 513
Chatuchak Weekend Market spreads over 35 acres area of land and is flooded with more than 9,000 stores and stalls. Since there are exciting new offers and discounts displayed by the merchants every weekend, this fantastic market usually sees more than 200,000 people at weekends. Almost everything under the sun can be purchased from Chatuchak market at bargain prices. Experienced shoppers and wholesale traders know the vast opportunities available and so never miss the weekend market shopping even for just one afternoon.
FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH “SOIS” OR ALLEYWAYS
If you are visiting this market for the first time then you might find it impossible to explore and discover the whole area without getting lost. There is an easy task to navigate through the thousands and thousands of stalls without much confusion. You need to understand the Chatuchak way of placements of the stalls first for finding your way through the market. The entire market is encircled within a single walkway that is the chief main road. And from this main venue there are hundreds of Soi alleys or branches extending. These Sois are numbered such as Soi 1, Soi 2, etc. so this makes it easy to recall the Soi alley that you entered. The Soi paths alleys are further divided and grouped into 27 sections. In each section there are products and stuffs of similar categories are sold.
REFERENCE POINTS AT CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
It’s common to find similar products available indifferent Sois or sections, so asking a shop owner where to find men’s jeans may have different responses. If you found a specific store you want, remember some key reference points such as the famous clock tower, gate numbers, soi numbers, ATM machines, telephone booths, BTS or MRT stations and even toilets.
This method of navigation will come handy while you are searching for the particular location in this huge market. See reference points in the map below.
Getting Around Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market
GOODS AVAILABLE AT CHATUCHAK MARKET
Chatuchak market offers almost anything; you will be simply amazed at the vast amount and varieties of goods available in these crowded stalls. From dried food to antique piece of lamp, everything can be bought from this ever streaming market.
Plants
Chatuchak market has a botanical garden filled with ornamental plants, fruit trees, herbal shrubs and more. A quick tip for bargain hunters: In front of the Administration Office on Wednesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to plants which farmers bring in for sale themselves, and at a very good bargain.
Antiques
Antiques are scattered around Chatuchak market but a huge cluster of them are in Section 26. There is also an impressive collection of arts and crafts from vintages collectibles, religious decor to decorative antique woodwork.
Pets
Animal lovers will have a field day! Chatuchak market boasts of different breeds and species of dogs, cats and even some of the more exotic pets. There are also pet accessories and veterinarian clinics if you need to have your pet checked up.
Food & Drinks
Chatuchak market is like a food fair! The volume of gastronomic delights fills this market in every corner. There are over 400 food shops, each with a different menu offering and theme. Check out the Dream Section for a plethora of Thai cuisine.
Fresh and Dried Food
As with most markets in Bangkok, Chatuchak also has a fresh market offering ingredients needed for cooking and dishes. Some of the more popular local produce are Thai dried treats such as fruit and meat.
Ceramics, Collectibles, Home Decor
Chatuchak’s Sections 17 and 19 are lined up with the most charming and distinctive ceramic works of various designs. A quick tip for bargain hunters: Every Friday is wholesale market day for ceramics; a number of ceramics are sold at really bargain prices.
Clothes
There are over hundreds and hundreds of shops in Chatuchak market selling clothes and accessories. It is a true shopping haven by any standard. Want to go for the vintage hippie look? Rock goth? Or plain, casual girl-next-door? Find anything here, and at very reasonable prices.
Books
The book stalls of Chatuchak are one of the largest, low-priced book stores in Bangkok. You can find many different types of books, or different volumes and varieties from travel, art and culture to English novels and magazines. You can even find some hard-to-find, older edition books in these stalls.
SECTION OF STALLS
There are 27 different sections where goods are available in the particular sections extensively.
Section 1
Amulets, books, collectibles, food shops, café
Section 2 to 4
Collectibles, home décor, paintings, terra cotta
Section 5 to 6
Clothes, adornments, miscellaneous products
Section 7 to 9
Antiques, furniture, ceramics, handicrafts
Section 10 to 24
Clothes, consumer products, adornments, household appliances, pets
Section 17 to 19
Ceramics, fresh and dry food
Section 22 to 26
Antiques, furniture, handicrafts
Section 27
Books, food and dessert shops, collectibles.
BARGAIN HUNTING
If shopping gives you a mini-adrenaline rush and the feeling of getting a good bargain is therapeutic, then there’s no other place like Chatuchak Market. Wake up the bargain king or queen within and brush up your talents to negotiate with flair. In case the merchant does not give in to your bargain then just try to walk away from the stall, and they probably would call you back to accept your bargained deal or just keep walking, because there are thousands of stalls with the same or similar merchandise. Happy exploring!
What about you? What do you think of Chatuchak Market? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
